If you are wondering when Ukraine was created, the answer lies in a history spanning over a millennium. While the modern state declared its independence on August 24, 1991, the roots of Ukrainian statehood reach back to the early Middle Ages.
The Early Beginnings of Ukraine: 6th to 19th Century
The origins of Ukraine date back to the period between the 6th and 9th centuries, preceding the formation of Kievan Rus’. By the 11th century, Kievan Rus’ had become a powerful Christian state, adopting the Greek rite from Byzantium under Prince Vladimir the Great.
Following the Mongol invasion in 1240, the region underwent significant changes:
- 14th Century: Western and central parts of Rus’ came under the rule of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and later the Kingdom of Poland.
- 1569 (Union of Lublin): Ruthenian lands were incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This era saw the rise of the Greek Catholic Church (1596), which played a crucial role in shaping Ukrainian national consciousness.
- 1648–1654: The Chmielnicki Uprising and the subsequent alliance with Russia brought Ukraine under direct Russian influence.
- Late 18th Century: Following the partitions of Poland, Ukrainian lands were divided between the Habsburg Monarchy (Galicia and Bukovina) and the Tsarist Empire.
Despite these divisions, a modern Ukrainian nation continued to form throughout the 19th century, setting the stage for the events of the 20th century.
The Path to 1991: The Moscow Coup and the Declaration
The pivotal moment for modern Ukraine came in 1991. The catalyst was the coup d’état in Moscow on August 19, 1991, when hardline communists attempted to seize control of the USSR. In response, the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament) held a special session on August 24.
To distance themselves from the coup and prevent a catastrophe, the parliament passed the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine with an overwhelming majority of 321 votes. The document was primarily drafted by figures such as Levko Lukyanenko and Vyacheslav Chornovil.
National Referendum and Global Recognition
To solidify the declaration, a nationwide referendum was held on December 1, 1991. The results were historic:
- 90% of voters supported independence.
- Turnout reached 82%.
This decisive public support effectively ended any possibility of preserving the Soviet Union. Following the vote, Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraine’s first president, signed the Belavezha Accords, officially declaring that the USSR had ceased to exist.
Who Recognized First that Ukraine was Created?
The international community responded quickly to the birth of the new state. Poland and Canada were the first countries in the world to recognize Ukraine’s independence, both doing so on December 2, 1991. They were followed shortly by the Russian SFSR, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania. By the end of 1991, 68 countries had recognized Ukraine as a sovereign nation.
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